Poland Acquires Tanks from Germany

Nov. 25, 2013 - 03:07PM | By JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI |

WARSAW — The Polish Defense Ministry has acquired 119 tanks from the German Army. These include 105 Leopard 2A5 tanks and 14 2A4 variants, the ministry said in a statement. The contract was signed by Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak and his German counterpart, Thomas de Maizière.

“The version which we are acquiring will remain operational for many years to come without the need to be modernized,” Siemoniak said.“We want the Leopard to be the main tank operated by the Polish Army.”

“Germany wants to continue the close cooperation of the two countries’ armed forces,” de Maizière said. “Now the Leopards will enhance the collaboration of soldiers from our countries for world peace and security.”

Deliveries are scheduled from 2014 to 2015. The contract is worth €180 million (US $243 million), according to the Polish MoD. The procurement also covers related military equipment, including transportation vehicles, machine guns, training and radio location systems.

Meanwhile, the Polish military is aiming to overhaul the 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks it already operates. The tanks were produced from 1984 to 1986.